Pumpkin beer has a long history in the United States that goes back to colonial brewing, but its modern interpretation is believed to have first appeared in the 1980s, while the first commercial batch came from Buffalo Bill’s Brewery in Hayward, California.
In its basic form, pumpkin beer is made with fresh, frozen, or pureed pumpkins that are fermented with malted grains. However, many producers do not even include pumpkin but opt for pumpkin-spice flavorings and spices such as cinnamon, allspice, cloves, or nutmeg.
Because pumpkin cannot provide much flavor, this spice blend is mostly responsible for the distinctive character of these beers. They come in several styles, though ales are the most popular option. Although versatile, many examples feature notes of caramel and warming spices.